Method and apparatus for well operations employing hydrogen peroxide



June 8, 1954 INVENTOR. P. G. CARPENTER Patented June 8, 1954 METHOD ANDAPPA OPERATIONS EMP PEROXIDE RATUS FR WELL LOYIN G HYDROGEN Paul G.Carpenter, Bartlesville, Okla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company,a corporation of Delaware Application January 4, 1949, Serial No.

17 claims. (C1. 16s- 1) This invention relates to processes andapparatus for removing solid materials from a portion of a wall of awell by concentrated hydrogen its decomposition products.

In another specic aspect it relates to drilling a well bore. y Incarrying out any process involving the rea point deep in the earthinside the small connes of a bore hole. Most sources of power requirecombustion pipes or cables to supply the power and require removal ofthe products of combustion or have other disadvantages of an obviousnature. Operating at the bottom of a small diameter hole aggravates allproblems that would occur at the surface of the ground.

I have found that by employing concentrated to a greater depth. make useof the simple apparatus disclosed which enables me to apply the greatpower contained in the hydrogen peroxide in an eicient manner. Theexhaust gases from the decomposing hydro- One object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved process and apparatus for removingsolid material from a portion of a wall of a well.

Another object is to provide an improved process and apparatus forcutting pipe in two in a well.

Another object is to provide an improved process for perforating holesin a pipe in a well.

Another object is to provide an improved process and apparatus fordrilling a well.

Another object is to provide suitable means for employing the powercontained in hydrogen peroxide by releasing this power by contact with asuitable hydrogen lyst.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilledin the art upon studying the accompanying specification claims anddrawings.

Figure 1 is a cross sectional elevational view of a well containing anapparatus involving the present invention and in which well processesembodying the present invention are being carried out.

Figure 2 is a cross section View of the apparatus shown in Figure 1taken along the line 2-2 looking in the direction indicated.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevational view peroxide decompositioncataa hole in a pipe.

Figure 4 is a cross third form of jet which may be substituted for thebottom of a well.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of a modified form of the apparatusshown in Figure l in which means for preventing rotation are providedand in which the jet of Figure 3 is employed.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide process and means forusing concentrated hydrogen peroxide as an agent for removing solidmaterial from the wall of a well.

I have found that when used for such purposes that hydrogen peroxidepossesses approximately the same amount of energy per pound asnitroglycerin and does not cost very much more per It is impossible torelease the energy of nitroglycerin at a controlled rate, asnitroglycerin detonates, whereas I have found that metal permanganatesand manganese dioxide, that the energy released can be controlled bysupplying the hydrogen peroxide and controlling its contact withcatalysts. For a given rate of flow of the hydrogen peroxide against thecatalyst, a given amount of the catalyst is released in the form of highvelocity gases consisting of steam and oxygen.

I prefer to employ the most concentrated forms of hydrogen peroxideavailable. At present it is possible to purchase 98 per cent hydrogenperand the 98 per cent hydrogen peroxide will produce even betterresults and hotter gases. The

rate of decomposition is controlled closely by the rate of ejection ofthe hydrogen peroxide into a chamber containing the catalyst.

In Figure 1 a well generally designated as 8 contains a casing or pipe'i' the lower end 8 of which has been cut off by the operation of theapparatus shown by the removal of solid material of the pipe in the wellat 9. 9 is an annular cut through the pipe 'i into the wall of the well6. Suspended into space i i in well is a hydrogen peroxide cuttingapparatus generally designated as l2. Apparatus i2 comprises a tank i3having a lling plug it which tank is illed up to the dotted line It withconcentrated hydrogen peroxide of at least 30 per cent by weightconcentration. The tank i3 above surface i6 preferably filled with aninert gas such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide and this inert gas ispreferably under high pressure to provide means for forcibly ejectingthe hydrogen peroxide from the tank.

Tank i3 is suspended in the well Si on a suitable suspension means suchas cable il, and in the form shown in Figure l it is preferred toprovide a swivel connection i8 and i9 in order to allow rotation of tanki3 without twisting cable il.

The hydrogen peroxide emerges from the bottom of tank i3 through anoutlet conduit 2l. rl'he iow of hydrogen peroxide through conduit 2i iscontrolled by time valve 22 which is opened and closed by a clock 23. 22is a shutoi valve and in place of clock 23 to make the device a timevalve, l. contemplate in some instances employing a remote controlelectric valve (not shown) in which a solenoid operates valve 22 and iscontrolled by an electric circuit including Wires running to the surfaceof the ground, a source of power and a switch at the surface of theground. l also contemplate valve 22 being controlled by a linkagemechanism having a portion projecting above tank i3 adjacent cable I'iand then dropping a go-devil, such as a section of pipe threaded oncable Il, (not shown) down the well to strike the linkage mechanism (notshown) to open valve 22.

It is preferred to also control the flow of the liquid in conduit 2l bya check valve 24 which allows flow outward through the conduit butprevents backward flow. While valve 24 is not absolutely essential andthe device may be operated without the same in many instances, it is adesirable safety feature as the hydrogen peroxide decomposition processmay cause hydrogen peroxide to tend to back up through pipe 2li and thisdecomposing hydrogen peroxide may contain fragments of catalyticmaterial. Therefore these products of decomposition should not beallowed to enter tank i3.

After passing check valve 2li the hydrogen peroxide is discharged into aturbine rotor vided with a central chamber 2l and one or more outwardlydirected spiral passages 23. A portion of the wall oi chamber 2 is linedwith one of the suitable hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalystslisted above in the form of an insert 25 prowhether the containing onthe end of cable H and 29. In order to simplify assembly insert 29 maybe a portion of a cap member 3i which can be unscrewed in order frompipe 2i. Pipe 2i is made in suitable sections fastened together atpoints such as 32 so that the parts disassemble.

As shown in Figure l the apparatus I2 is in place to commence thetreatment of the wall 33 of well t.

As shown in Figure 2 the passages 28 in head 2t are curved and spiraloutwardly so that the emerging the jets Sli will not only have anoutward force but a torque producing force rotation in the directionindicated by arrow 35 as in a reaction jet turbine. The catalyst cake orplate 2S in the center of cap 3l is directly in the path of flow oihydrogen peroxide out of outlet conduit 2i.

When it is desired to employ a steady jet at a single point in place ofthe revolving jet or jets of Figure l then that portion of outletconduit 2l below connection 32 is removed and replaced by lower outletconduit 36 of Figure 3 which has a plug 31 in which is mounted a cake ofcatalytic material 38 and a jet 39 in a portion of the apparatus llwhich is directed at right angles from pipe 35.

When it is desired to drill with a downwardly directed jet, the deviceshown in Figure 4 is studied for the portions of the outlet conduit 2ibelow joint 32. The jet in Figure 4 consists of an upper pipe l2 and alower pipe 43 containing an outlet jet 4d. As one means of retaining thecatalyst, the catalyst may be in the form of a ring iii secured betweenpipes t2 and 43 and pipes 42 and t3 may be secured together by acoupling pipe A6.

When employing the directed jet il of Figure 3 it is often desirable tohold the jet at a single position. It is also often desirable to orientthe direction of the jet. These two objects can be accomplished byproviding tank i3' with the apparatus shown in Figure 5. Tank I3 notonly has jet M but is controlled, rotated and oriented by a rigid rod orpipe ll and 4S coupled by couplings 49. In this manner by surveying thedevice into the hole the direction of jet di is assured. Tank I3, andjet di can be prevented from rotation by providing spring spacingelements 5l. Elements 5| center tank i3' in well and space jet il asuitable distance from pipe 'l in order to perforate holes in the sameor space jet dl from wall 33 a suitable distance for the same purposes.

Springs 5I also ring when the jet act to prevent rotation occuris turnedon and thereby produce a more concentrated hole in the wall of the well.

Operation Tank I3 is made of aluminum or other noncatalytic material andso are the portions of outlet conduit 2i down to the point wherecatalyst 29 is located. After that point it is immaterial device iscatalytic or nonto make turbine head 2G Figure 4 out of materialscatalytic and l prefer and jet such as d3 of resistant to stress atchrome steel alloys. that jets 26 and i3 material as they may be the jeteven though they are rapidly ing in the process.

'Ihe device of Figure It is not essential however be made of anyparticular edective in directing disintegratl is lowered into space Hpositioned by cable to allow removal of head 25 high temperatures suchas ation before removing the device from the well. The high pressureinert gas above surface l forces the hydrogen peroxide through openvalve 22 and check valve 26 against catalyst 29. The hydrogen peroxidedecomposition catalyst 29 decomposes the hydrogen peroxide and formsthereby about four thousand times its volume of hot steam and oxygen.The hot steam and oxygen rushes out jet 23 causing head 2t to rotate inthe direction shown by arrow 35 in Figure 2. At the same time theoutwardly directed jets cut, corrode and if inflammable materials arepresent they also burn their way through solid material and remove thesame from a portion of the wall of the Y@fell bore. For example, ifpositioned at point s they would cut the lower part 8 from the upperpart of pipe l as shown at e.

If instead of passing through the turbine the jet is directed downwardlyas shown in Figure l the jet Will dislodge material from the bottom ofthe hole and drill the well making the same deeper.

If the jet is held substantially stationary as jet ll in Figure 5 thejet may be directed to form a perforation in a pipe such as 'l or form ahorizontal passage in the wall 33 or" well E which pasage increases thepotential product of oil or other valuable material in the Well. Whenemployed in a Well sand containing oil, the oxygen in the jet can burnthe oil in the sand, heat the formation melting paraffin causingmelting, spalling, expansion of gases in the formation aiding in thedeepening of the horizontal hole.

While I have shown several preferred embodiments of my invention in thedrawings and described the same in the speciication, this has been donefor purposes of illustration as the scope of the invention is describedin the following claims.

While other substances act as hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalystsand may be used in practicing this invention, I prefer to use thecatalysts listed in the claims as being more eilicient. While I haveshown in the drawings the use oi a caire of catalyst obviously a supplyof catalyst in liquid or powdered form could be dumped into the Wellbefore commencing operations, or duid catalyst could be suppliedsimultaneously or intermittently as needed by employing the apparatusshown in my oopending application Serial No. 69,212 led January 4, 1949,entitled Method and Apparatus for Well Drilling Operations EmpolyingHydrogen Peroxide by substituting for the fuel 22 shown in tank i'!thereof a suitable hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst in fluidform. In such case the hydrogen peroxide would still be contacted withsaid catalyst as claimed herein.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. The process of removing solid material from a portion of a Wall of aWell bore in the earth comprising positioning a supply of at least '70%by Weight hydrogen peroxide adjacent the point of said removal in saidbore hole, ejecting said hydrogen peroxide from said supply, contactingsaid ejected hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxide decompositioncatalyst selected from the group consisting of finely divided silver,iinely divided platinum, alkali metal and alkaline earth metalpermanganates and manganese dioxide,

a annular groove through the pipe to iet normal to the and directing thevolume of steam and oxygen produced by said decomposition in a jetagainst said solid material to remove the same.

2. The process of removing solid material from contacting a hydrogenperoxide decomposition catalyst, and directing the volume of steam andoxygen produced by said decomposition against said solid material toremove the same.

steam and oxygen produced by said decomposition against said solidmaterial to remove the same.

6. The process of severing a pipe in a Well bore comprising positioninga supply of at least by Weight contacting said ejected hydrogen peroxidewith decomposition catalyst, and of steam and oxygen produced by saiddecomposition in a plane normal axis of said pipe to cut an sever thesame.

7. The process of severing a pipe in a well bore comprising positioninga supply of by Weight hydrogen peroxide 1n said bore hole, contactingsaid hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst,and directa plane normal to the 1ongitudinal axis of said pipe to cut anannular groove through the pipe to sever the same.

3. The process of perforating a pipe in a well bore comprisingpositioning a supply of at least 70% by Weight hydrogen peroxide in saidbore hole, ejecting said hydrogen peroxide from said supply, contactingsaid ejected hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxide decompositioncatalyst, and directing the volume of steam and oxygen produced by saiddecomposition in a fixed surface of the pipe at the desired point ofperforation to make a perforation in said pipe at said point.

9. The process of perforating a pipe in a well bore comprisingpositioning a supply of at least 70% by weight hydrogen peroxide in saidbore hole, contacting said hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxidedecomposition catalyst, and directing the volume of steam and ox 1genproduced by said decomposition in a fixed jet normal to the surface ofthe pipe at the desired point of perforation to make a perforation insaid pipe at said point.

10. The process of drilling a well bore hole comprising positioning asupply oi at least 79% by weight hydrogen peroxide in said bore hole,ejecting said hydrogen peroxide from said supply, contacting saideiected hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxide decompositioncatalyst, and directing the volume oi steam and oxygen produced by saiddecomposition in a jet downward 2 against the bottom oi' sald bore holeto deepen the same.

11. The process of drilling a well bore hole comprising positioning asupply of at least 70% by weight hydrogen peroxide in said bore hole,contacting said hydrogen peroxide with a hydrogen peroxide decompositioncatalyst, and directing the volume of steam and oxygen produced by saiddecomposition in a jet downward against the bottom of said bore hole todeepen the Same.

12. Apparatus for producing a jet oi hydrogen peroxide decompositionproducts comprising in combination a tank for said hydrogen peroxide,means to position said tank in a well, means to supply gas pressure tosaid tank to eject said hydrogen peroxide, an outlet conduit comprisinga rotatable reaction jet turbine, a hydrogen peroxide decompositioncatalyst secured in position in said outlet, a check valve in saidoutlet preventing hack iow therethrough, a shutoff valve in said outlet,and means to open said shutoff valve comprising a clock control.

13. Apparatus for producing a jet oi hydrogen peroxide decompositionproducts comprising in combination a means to position said tank in awell, means to supply gas pressure to said tank to eject said hydrogenperoxide, an outlet conduit, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalystsecured in position in said preventing back ow therethrough, a shutoffvalve in said outlet, and means to open said shutofi valve comprising aclock control.

le. Apparatus ior producing a jet of hydrogen peroxide decompositionproducts comprising in combination a tank for said hydrogen peroxide,means to position said tank in a well, means to supply gas pressure tosaid tank to eject said tank for said hydrogen peroxide,

outlet, a check valve in said outlet eli) hydrogen peroxide, an outletconduit, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalyst secured in positionin said outlet, a check valve in said outlet preventing back flowtherethrough, a shutoii valve in said outlet, and means to open saidshutoi valve.

15. Apparatus for producing a jet of hydrogen peroxide decompositionproducts comprising in combination a tank for said hydrogen peroxide,means to position said tank in a well, means to eject said hydrogenperoxide, an outlet conduit, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalystsecured in position in said outlet, a check valve in said outletpreventing back iiow therethrough, a shutoi valve in said outlet, andmeans to open said shutoff valve.

16. Apparatus for producing a jet of hydrogen peroxide decompositionproducts comprising in combination a tank for said hydrogen peroxide,means to position said tank in a well, means to eject said hydrogenperoxide, an outlet conduit, a hydrogen peroxide decomposition catalystsecured in position in said outlet, a shutoir valve in said outlet, andmeans to open said shuto valve.

17. The combination of claim 16 in which the discharge conduits comprisea rotatable reaction turbine.

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Coast Artillery 1948, page 28.

Smith, A., General Chemistry for Colleges, 2nd edition, pages 223-224.The Century Co., New York, 1916.

Journal, January-February

1. THE PROCESS OF REMOVING SOLID MATERIAL FROM A PORTION OF A WALL OF AWELL BORE IN THE EARTH COMPRISING POSITIONING A SUPPLY OF AT LEAST 70%BY WEIGHT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ADJACENT THE POINT OF SAID REMOVAL IN SAIDBORE HOLE, EJECTING SAID HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FROM SAID SUPPLY, CONTACTINGSAID EJECTED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WITH A HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITIONCATALYST SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF FINELY DIVIDED SILVER,FINELY DIVIDED PLATINUM, ALKALI METAL AND ALKALINE EARTH METALPERMANGANATES AND MANGANESE DIOXIDE, AND DIRECTING THE VOLUME OF STREAMAND OXYGEN PRODUCED BY SAID DECOMPOSITION IN AJET AGAINST SAID SOLIDMATERIAL TO REMOVE THE SAME.
 12. APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A JET OFHYDROGEN PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION ATANK FOR SAID HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, MEANS TO POSITION SAID TANK IN A WELL,MEANS TO SUPPLY GAS PRESSURE TO SAID TANK TO EJECT SAID HYDROGENPEROXIDE, AN OUTLET CONDUIT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE REACTION JET TURBINE,A HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DECOMPOSITION CATALYST SECURED IN POSITION